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.... TX)L. XXXIX No 20. WILMINGTON K C, MARCH 1(, 1906. 1.00 PER YEAR lie "A d 17 OF GREW LOST The tamer British King" Foundered at Sea DETAILS OF THE DISASTER Volunteers from Other Ships Did Heroic Work of Rescue -Eighteen Men Were Taken From the Doomed Steamer bv the Leland Line Steamer "Bostonian," and Eleven by the German Steamer "Mannheim." Then Darkness Fell, and the Gale Increased and No Further Efforts Could be Made to Take the Remain der of the Crew From the "British King" For Three Days the Ship's Destruction Was Threatened. Boston, Mass., March 14. Suffering, mental and physical, from numerous acts of heroism in saving life rarely equalled in the record of tragedies of the sea attended the loss of the Phoe nix Line steamer K British King which on Sunday last, in a raging Atlantic storm foundered about loO miles south of Sable Island, and caused the death of twenty-seven members of tha crew. Thirteen men were rescued from the sinking vessel by the Leyland Dine steamer . Bostonian, bound from Man chester ,to Boston, and eleven by the German tank steamer Mannheim, from Rotterdam for New York. Five others who had been drawn down in the vor tex into which the British King was engulfed, were nicked up by the Bos tonian from a frail bit of wreckage which they had grasped after a des perate struggle for life in the whirl pool. The Bostonian arrived here this afternoon and the details of the dis aster became known. Captain James O'Hagan, of the British King, died on board the Bos tonian from the effects of terrible in juries sustained in trying to save his ship. The boats of the Bostonian were crushed to fragments, and the volunteer crews which manned them were thrown into the high runlng seas, while engaged in the work of rescue, but all were safely lauded on board the steamer. Volunteers from the Mannheim, af ter a heroic battle with the waves, had taken off eleven from the British King, but after this neither of the steamers, in consequence of the in creasing gale, could make an attempt to reach the foundering freighter. Moreover, darkness fell, and it was an utter impossibility to do else but wait for the moon light to guide them. In the darkness the British King, which was then waterlogged ami helpless, plunged to the bottom.. For three days her captain and crew, working against unconquerable odds, had tried to prevent, or at least, post pone their ship's destruction. Barrels of oil and wreckage forming into a powerful ram, were driven down upon her sides with crushing torce, opening up the vessel's plates, allowing, the water to pour into her holds. The extent of the leak was not un derstood until the following day, how ever, and then, although all hands were placed at the pumps, the water gained considerably. The fires had been extinguished, and the engines rendered useless by the, rising water. The only remedy at hand lay in repair ing the damaged sections, and while personally superintending this work, Captain O'Hagan sustained a fractur ed leg and internal injuries. Although he w:as unable to stand, he continued to direct the efforts of his crew. At the end of three days, when all hands had labored ceaselessly without rest and with little food the Bostonian and Mannheim were sighted, and to these Captain displayed the signal for as sistance. Both the Bostonian and Mannheim stood by the scene of the wreck until Monday morning, but no bodies were recovered. The British King sailed from New York last Wednesday bound for Ant werp, with a miscellaneous cargo and 150 head of cattle. The passage was -uneventful until Friday morning, when the ship was struck by a strong northwesterly wind, which suddenly developed into a hurricane. Some of the hatches were torn open, great vol umes of water poured into the ship's compartments, disabling the engines and soon the ship became absolutely "helpless, the rudder also having been swept away. Realizing the necessity of quick action. Captain O'Hagan himself went into the hold and strove to repair 'the most damaged sections. Tt was while doing this that a bar Tel of oil factured one of his legs in two places. The injury was so severe that a piece of the bone protruded through the flesh. In spite of this, he ordered his leg to be bound up and when this had been done, resumed command and directed the efforts which were being made to plug up the hole in the ship's side. But all efforts at repair were fruitless. All hand3 were forced to take refuge on the main deck. The cattle were swept overboard, gradually by the seas and drowned. At G o'clock Sunday morn ing Captain O'Hagan sighted the Mannheim and shortly afterwards the Bostonian. both of which hove to. The i British King signalled that she was - . waterlogged and would nave 10 ue abandoned. At 8 o'clock she sent an other signal which read: "Do not abandon me. The half hundred or more men of the wecked steamer were in plain view of those on board the Bostonian and Mannheim who could, however, do nothing at that time in the way of rescue on account of the sea that wa3 running. At 1:40 p. m. the British King sig nalled: "Help us, we are sinking." A slight moderation of the weather permitted the Mannheim to lower a boat in charge of a volunteer crew which, after a perilous and most diffi cult row to the British King, rescued eleven of the crew. The men of the British King were brave for they pushed one another for ward, all apparently willing to wait for the last chance of being saved. Sailors of the Bostonian vied with each other for the honor of sitting in life boat and were hot deterred from this when the first boat was dashed to pieces against the steamer's stern. First Officer William Brown and ti?e six seamen with him were left strug gling in the water, but they were saved by means of lines thrown from the Leyland boat The men were all bad ly bruised. A great cheer went up from the Bos tonian when at 4 o'clock the starboard life boat was successfully put out in charge of Second Officer Cromwell. The steward and four sailors went with him, and the encouraging cheers were kept up as the little crew gallant ly struggled to reach the sinking steamer. This boat took off 13 men, includinz Cantain O'Hagan, who was tenderly, but hastily lowered by his men by means of a line from the stern. The Bostonian was reached and the rescued seamen placed on board. But before the life savers could climb to the deck, a quick forming sea hurled the fragile craft aginst the side of the steamer, forcing her apart, and then the water receding caried the volun ters some hundred feet distant from their ship. Cheering cries reached them to cling to the wreckage while the engines of the Bostonian started and the ship manoeuvred to a point near the struggling seamen. Again were the lines used with skill and suc cess, for all volunteers were hoisted to the ship, though Officer Cromwell was almost drowned. Captain Barry deemed it imprudent to send another boat to the wreck, as darkness was setting in and decided to wait until the moon arose before con tinuing the work of rescue. About 11 o'clock, when the gaie was running with apparently reinforced velocity, the British King was seen to stagger in the trough of the sea. raise herself, plunge down. Both the Mannheim and the Bostonian steamed to the point where the ship had foundered and it had just been decided that all those on board had perished when a feeble cry from the darkness told that some at least had not been drowned. Half an hour later Captain Parry of the Bostonian located a small section of a cattle reck to which five men were clinging. These were Second Officer Flanigan, Chief Engineer Crawfod. Arolphus Beck, fourth engineer and two cattlemen. They had been car ried down with the steamer, but after coming to the suriace, had, after mighty efforts, succeeded in swimming beyond the whilpool, and in finding a temporary refuge upon the wreckage. All night and until 7:30 a. m. on Monday both the Mannheim and the Bostonian stood by searching for bodies and then both ships resumed their passages. Yesterday, after terrible suffering, Captain O'Hagan died. Fifty six men, including a stowaway were on board the British King and 27 of these, it is deemed almost certain perished with their ship. TO CLUB DR. PARKHURST Such Plot Said to Have Been Discov ered in New York City. New York, March 14. The report of an alleged plot to kill Rev. Dr. i Charles H. Parkhurst was made public today. Dr. Parkhurst has been prom : inent for years as a police reformer, tt is understood that the district at torney's office has prepared to sum ; mon several witnesses in connection with this plot, which is said to have originated because of a raid made upon a disorderly house by agents of the Parkhurst society some time ago. Dis trict Attorney Jerome when asked about this report today refused to discuss it. Police Magistrate WTahle said that Assistant District Attorney Hart yesterday obtained from him several blank suhpoenacs, which, he added, might have been for use in uncovering the alleged plot. According to the report a man has been hired to club Dr. Parkhurst on the first opportunity-presenting itself. Dr. Park hurst today refused either to confirm or to deny the report. Everybody Recognizes the superiority of Gas for Cooking Gas solves the servant question. SIX ROUND FIGHT Boot Between Battling" Nelson and Terry filcCovem nn iiirc Fight Classed as a Draw, But Kelson Deserved Decision In the First Three Rounds Scarcely a Half Dozen Good Blows Were Struck and the Crowd Plainly Showed its Disappointment Beginning With the Fourth Round, However, the Men Went at Each Other in Earnest and the Fight Became a Hard One. Neither Man Was Knocked Down, and the Referee Rendered No De cision. . Philadelphia, March 14. "Battling" Nelson had the advantage of Terry Mc Govern in their six round bout which took place at the National Athletic Club tonight. For the first three rounds the fight was a disappointment to the 5,000 persons who had paid fancy prices to witness the bout. There were scarcely half a dozen solid blows struck; the men wrestling from one end of the ring to the other with the referee powerless to separate them. It had been agreed that the referee was not to lay his hands on the men, but simply warn them to step back when they rushed to a clinch. The repeated warnings had no effect on the fighters, and the crowd hissed, groaned and cried "fake" and "Take them out of the ring." At the beginning of the fourth round the men began to fight as though they meant business. Nelson kept right af ter McGovern and used a straight left to advantage. McGovern frequently countered with hard lefts and rights, but his blows, while they appeared to have great force behind them, failed to make an impression on the sturdy Dane. At the close of the fifth round McGovern went to his corner in dis tress. When the men came up for the final round Nelson sent a left to the jaw", and McGovern rushed to a clinch. His seconds cried "Hold on Terry, hold on," and never were instructions carried out more thoroughly. Every time that Nelson could land a stiff blow. McGovern would grab him around the body and hang on until Nelson would throw him off by sheer force. It is doubtful if McGovern could have stood the gruelling for an other round. There was some rough work in the early rounds by the Dane. He frequently used" his right elbow and bore in on McGovern repeatedly with his head. Nelson deserved the decis ion, but as no decisions are rendered when both men are on their feet, the fight is classed as a draw. Neither man was knocked down during the fight, but McGovern slipped to the floor in the fifth round while trying to escape from the Dane. McGovern entered the ring at 10:05. He was given a tremendous ovation. . Nelson came in at the same time. The cheering for the Dane had scarce ly ceased when the scales were brought into the ring and the weighing was done in full view of the spectators. Their exact weights were not announc ed, but both were under 133 pounds. After a flashlight photograph had been taken of the two men the referee call ed the men to the center of the ring and gave them instructions. A mo ment later the fight was on. Jimmy Gardner was also in Nelson's corner. The fight began at 10:40. Nelson missed a left and both clinch ed, and it was 20 seconds before they separated. The crowd hissed and Nel son led with left to head; They again clinched, and the referee warned Mc Govern for holding. There was an other clinch and McGovern sent a hard left to the head. They were clinched at the bell and as they went to their corner there was nothing but hisses. Round 2. McGovern missed a left J for the wind, and then they began to wrestle. McGovern's left to wind and left and right to head. Thev rushed to a clinch and then McGovern drove a J right to the head, which barred the battler. Nelson was cautioned for using his shoulder. Nelson missed a straight left and again they clinched. The boys did not move six feet from the center of the ring and were still clinched at the bell. Groans and hisses greeted the men as they went to their corner. Round 3. McGovern tried left to wind twice but was broken in both at tempts. They clinched and the referee could not get them to break. Nelson drove two left to face and there was the same old clinch. McGovern drove a left to the jaw and missed a hard right McGovern's uppercut with a hard right and thn sent a right to the jaw. Nelson sent another left to the face and the men were clinched at the gong. Round 4. McGovern swung wild with his right but drove a left to the wind. Nelson sent a left to the face and then they clinched and wrestled across the ring. Nelson pounded Mc Govern's kidneys in the clinch. Nelson sent a light left, to face and McGov ern missed a swing for the jaw. Nelson was srrnwiner stronger whil Milnvertl I seemed to be weakening. Nelson sent I a hard left and a right to the jaw and PDfll TED U IUNU II Hd McGovern was weak as he went to his corner. It was the first round In which there was any real fighting:. Round 5. McGovern sent a left to the head and Nelson countered with a left to the wind. Nelson sent a light left to the stomach. McGovern rush ed to a clinch and refused to break when ordered by the referee. McGov ern sent three lefts to the face but the blows did not have any appreciable effect on Nelson. When they broke Nelson drove a terrific right to Mc Govern's jaw. which made the Brook lyn boy wobbly. They clinched and as they broke away the bell rang. Round 6. Nelson missed a right swing and they rushed to a clinch. Mc Govern missed a right for the wind and then sent a right upper cut to the wind. Nelson sent a light left to the face and then missed a terrific right for McGovern's chin. Nelson drove McGovern into a neu tral corner and landed two hard blows on the wind. McGovern was almost out when the gong sounded. It was Nelson's fight. THREATENED TO KILL MORGAN Mrs. G. B. Williams Has Annoyed the Financier Off and On for Five Years. Given a Hearing for Disorderly Con duct and WiU be Examined as to Her Sanity. New York, March 14. At a hearing in the private chambers of Magistrate Wahle, in the Tombs police court to day, Mrs. G. B. Williams, an English woman, who resides at the Hoffman house, was committed to Belle vue hos pital to be examined as to her sanity. Mrs. Williams was arrested this af ternoon in front of the officers of J. Pierpont Morgan and company. Tha charge" was disorderly conduct. She protested when ordered to the hospital and said she was the victim of a plot planned by J. P. Morgan. When removed from the magistrate's chambers she struggled desperately and gave the five policemen who had her in charge all they could do to get her into a carriage. It is said that the name Williams is probably a ficti tious one. She is about 40 or 45 years of age and is reputed to have been at one time a very wealthy wom an, but is said to have lost considera bly by "bad investments. Since March 9 she had been daily to the offica of Morgan and company, demanding to see Mr. Morgan, who is in Europe, or his son, J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr. On the occasion of each of her visits, it is alleged she has threatened to shoot and kill the financier and his son. At the office of J. P. Morgan and compa ny, it was stated by a prominent offi cial, that Mrs. Williams has been an noying (Mr. Morgan on and off for about five years. She told Mr. Morgan that she believed she had an interest in some Boston estate, and asked the financier to look up the matter for her. Mr. Morgan did investigate and found that at one time she had been inter ested in it, but that she sold her in terest The official stated that it is the general belief of Mr. Morgan's as sociates that the woman is not in her right mind. IN FAVOR OF THE FOSTER BILL Hearing Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Measure to Admit High Class Chinese Into the United States. Washington, March 14. John Foord, secretary of the American Assiatic As sociation and representatives of com mercial interests in prominent cities of the United States, appeared before the house committee on foreign affairs in support of the Foster bill to amend the Chinese exclusion act in such a manner that high class Chinese may be admitted with less inconvenience. The American Asiatic Association, said Mr. Foord, is interested in the proposed modification in the exclusion law because of the importance to American commercial interests in China's trade. D. A. Tompkins, of Charlotte, rep resenting the National Association of Manufacturers, said his association had no desire to admit Chinese coolies. He said class distimctions were made in China and must be recognized by the United States. The coolie was so easily recognized that it was desirable for this country to say that all Chinese but the coolies, may enter our pots. He urged that there was no desire among manufacturers to bring Chinese laborers here to compete with Ameri- j can labor, for, he said, intelligent labor using improved machinery excels heap labor. In response to questions as to the effect of the Chinese boycott on the machinery in cotton trade In which he is interested, Mr. Tompkins said the effect has been very injuries and threatens to grow if conditions are not relieved at once. Figures were laid before the commit tee indicating that the trade of South ern cotton mills with China was re duced nearly 70 per cent by the boy cott and that trade is not rallying from the blow received. Vew French Ministry Outlines Its Policy. Paris, March 14. The new ministry presented itself to the chamber of dej uties today and outlined its policy, as follows: "The government intends to carry out the church and state separation law-with inflexible firmness and estab lish the responsibility for resistance to the taking of inventories. Concerning Morocco, we intend to follow the policy of the preceding ministry, hoping that ihe equity r.nd dignity of our position will permit an early and satisfactory solution.' of S05 against 195 approved the minis- j terial statement - RIGHTM rates Argument of Senator Rayner on Railroad Bill OUTLINES AMEfJQMENTS Wanted to Dispense With Suspen sion Provision Several Senators Were Aroused by Remarks of the Speaker, and Ex ceptions Were Taken to His Conten tion Tliat the Railroads Have Inter ferred in Framing the Bill Knox Declared That the Measure Would be Unconstitutional Without a Pro vision for Court Review Rayner Argued for the Rights of Congress to Fix Rates. Washington, March 14. The rail road rate bill today reached the con troversal stage in the senate. The question came up in the regular order of business shortly before 2 o'clock an held the floor until the doors were closed for a brief executive session a few minutes after 5 o'clock. Mr. Rayner was the chief speaker of the day and the debate that took place was provoked by some of his utter ances. Among the senators who were aroused by him were Messrs. Foraker, Lodge and Dolliver. Both the Ohio senators and the Mas sachusetts senator took exception to Mr. Rayner's contention that the rail road have interf erred in the framing of the bill, and Mr. Foraker also ex pressed himself as dissatisfied with the intimation that the railroads are repre sented on the floor of the senate. Mr. Dolliver expressed displeasure with the plea for amendments and went so far as to say that the help of such friends as Mr. Rayner could very well be dispensed with. Other senators who participated in the debate were Messrs. Aldrich, Till man and Knox. Mr. Knox freely expresed his opin ion that the bill would be unconstitu tional without a provision r the re view of the commission's findings by the court, and Mr. Aldrich stated his belief that he and Mr. Rayner were not greatly at variance in their views. He declined, however, to agree to accept amendments which were outlined by the Maryland senator. Mr. Tillman reiterated his objection to the bill and indulged in some char acteristic phrases in stating his posi tion, concluding with the remark that he believed that the bill could be so amended so a3 to make it acceptable. The argument of Mr. Rayner was directed in favor of the general propo sition that congress has the right to fix rates, but that the bill should be so amended as to dispense with the sus pension provision. He also advocated other amendments. RUSSIAN DIABOLISM Plot to Assassinate Jews Work of Official Cabal to Give Excuse for Severe Repressive Measures. St Petersburg, March 14. At to day's session of the cabinet Premier Witte, who was warmly supported by Prince Alexis Obolcnsky, procurator general of the roly synod, and Count John Tolstoi, minister of education, in sisted on the suppression of the or ganization known as the League of the Russian People, through which the ag itation of the reactionary "Black Hun dreds," is propagated. It i3 reported that he was forced to arrive at this decision, but this is not absolutely confirmed. The police prefect, M. Von Der Launntz, was summoned to the meeting and asked to explain how it happened that the publication of the proclamation calling for the extermi nation of the Jews was printed in the official printing office attached to his department The prefect denied hav ing any personal knowledge of the printing. However, it was establish ed that there Is constantly accummu lating evidence that the plot to pro duce a counter revolution in the hope of sweeping away the reforms outlined in the manifesto of October 30th had its origin in a court cabal. The plan is to provoke riots and massacres of Jews and revolutionists over as wide an area as possible in order to justify still more terrible repressions and therby prove to the emperor that the people are not ripe for any sort of self government. .Swedish Steamer Aground. Harllngen. March 14. The Swedish steamer Wermland from Pensacola and Newport .News for this port, is aground at Blueslenk. It will be nec essary to lighten the vessel before she can be floated. . WOMEN FOUGHT WITH MOROS Dispatch From GcnenU Wood as to the Killing or Moro Women and Chil dren In tin Recent Ftshtinc on Mount Da jo H U Account. Sy the President, U Entirety Satisfactory. Washington. March 14. A cablegram from General Wood regarding criti cisms of the recent battle of Mouat Dajo on the Uland of Jolo. together with correspondence between the presi dent and -Secretary Taft on the sub ject were made publhc today. General Wood's cablegram was ia answer to one sent to him at the direction of Secretary Taft who called attention to the criticisfs of "wanton slaughter of Moros." and asked him to send all the particulars. General Wood's reply denies that there was any wanton killing, and says a considerable num ber of women and children were killed In the fight because they were actually in the works when assaulted, that Mo ro women wore trousers and tfcat chil dren were used as shields. The re ply was sent by Secretary Taft to the president, with a note in which the secretary says that General Wooi'3 answer seems to him to show most clearly that the unfortunate loa of life was wholly unavoidable, to which the president replied that General Wood's answer "is of course, entirel satisfactory." General Wood's dispatch and th president's reply to Secretary Taft's letter follows: "The Military Secretary. Washington. D. C. "In answer to secretary of war's request for information March 12th. I was present throughout practically entire action and Inspected top of crater after action was finished. Am convinced no man. woman or child was wantonly killed. A considerable number of women and children were killed in the fight number unknown, for the reason that they were actually in the works when assaulted, and were unavoidably killed in the fierce hand-to-hand fighting which took place in the narrow inclosed spaces. "Moro women wore trousers and were dressed, armed, much like the men and charged with them. The chil dren were in many cases used by the men as shields, while charging troops. These incidents are much to be regret ted, but it must be understood that th Moros. one and all. were fighting, not only as enemies, but religious fanatic, believing paradise to be their imme diate reward if killed In action with Christians. They apparently desired that none be saved. Some of our men. one a hospital steward, were cut up while giving assistance to wounded Moros, and by those feigning death for the purpose of getting this vengeance. I personally ordered assltance given wounded Moros. and that food and water should be sent them and medical attendance. "In addition, friendly Moros were at once directed to proceed to mountain for this purpose. I do not believe that In this or any other fight any American soldier wantonly killed a Moro woman or child, or that he ever did it except unavoidably In close ac tion. "Action was most desperate and was impossible for men fighting literally for their lives in close quarter to dis tinguish who would be Injured by fire. In all action against Moros. we have begged Moros again and again to fight as men and keep women and chil dren out of it I assume entire re sponsibility for action of the troops in every particular and If any evidence develops in any way bearing out the charges will act at once. "WOOD. i "Very sincerely yours. "WM. H. TAFT." The president's reply follows: "White House. "Washington. March 14. 1906. "My dear Mr. Secretary: I have received your letter of March 13th. with accompanying cable of General Wood answering your inquiry as to the alleged wanton slaughter of Moros. This answer Is, of course, entirely sat isfactory. The officers and enlisted men under General Wood's command have performed a most gallant' and soldierly feat In a way that confers added credit on the American army. They are entitled to the heartiest ad miration and praise of all their fellow citizens who are glad to ee the honor of the flag upheld by the courage of the men wearing the American uni form "Sincerely vours. "THEODORE ROOSEVELT." "Hon. WM. II. TAFT. "Secretary of War." FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT Hon. Oliver II. Dockery Taken to Rex Hospital Raleigh for Treatment. (Special to The Messenger.) Raleigh, X. C, March 14. Hon Oliver H. Dockery, republican nominee for governor of North Carolina In 1888, was brought from his home at Man gum. N. C, to Rex hospital, Ra leigh, for special treatment CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS Sessions to be Held m Richmond and Asheville in May. AshevIIIe. N. C, March 14. An of ficial order to be issued Saturday by United States Circuit Court Judge Goff, at Richmond, Va., wili direct that a session of the circuit court of ap peals be held at Richmond, Va., be ginning May 1st to hear appeals from northern and southern districts of West Virginia, district of Maryland, and the eastern district of Virginia, and that a session of the court be held at Ashevlle, N. C, commencing M-ty 21 for hearing of appeals from district of South Carolina, eastern and western districts of North Carolina, and west ern district of VIrgina, It is also pro vided that with the assent of counsel the case? assigned for hearing at Richmond will be heard at Asheville. It being understood that they an to be heard after the cases assigned fur Asheville are argued and submitttd.
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
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March 16, 1906, edition 1
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